One of the first things I realised after having settled in Singapore was that it is excellently connected to the rest of the world. In no time I was able to travel back home to Switzerland, or visit colleagues in Taipei, Tokyo and elsewhere without having to break the bank! There are direct flights to all continents except Antarctica. Return tickets are surprisingly cheap, for example tickets as low as… (prices checked on 19 May 2016, your mileage may vary)

As a Singaporean and member of the local organizing committee, I want to alert you to the fact that Singapore is also a wonderful haven to embark on exhilarating culinary adventures. Besides a comprehensive selection of international cuisine that will make you feel at home, we have a unique spread of local and fusion cuisine that mirrors our multicultural society. Whether it’s fine dining after a day of shopping or tucking into local-style seafood after hiking through a nature reserve, there is something to satisfy all taste buds. I look forward to welcoming you to our “little red dot”!

My memories to Singapore go back to probably the first international meeting on nanosafety organized by Nanyang Technological University: International Symposium for Nanosafety: Social, Environmental and Health Impacts, 17-18 November 2014. They demonstrated that Singapore is a very good venue for a scientific meeting with good connections to other countries and the organization was close to perfection. This should be promising for the IPTC 2016 meeting! IPTC is not only about nanotoxicology and it broadens the horizon to Particle and Fibre Toxicology. As editor of the eponymous journal I really encourage you to attend this prestigious meeting.

And… after fruitful scientific sessions is it a pleasure to stroll around Waterfront Promenade or visit some of the excellent museums.

In September 2016 the International Conference on Particle Toxicology (IPTC2016) will take place. It was in October 1999 when Ken Donaldson and me organized the 7th of this meeting series in Maastricht for 250 participants. My path has brought me to Singapore many times for nanotechnology issues, and I am looking forward to moderate the nanotech industry session at IPTC2016. Of course I will also take the opportunity to see the new architecture and roof top pools. This picture taken by me in June 2011 shows serious thought at a relaxed site: typical Singapore. Hope to see you there…

“Singapore is worth a visit not only because of the scientific importance of the conference but also because of its natural wonders. During a recent Singapore visit, I was able to get close to huge water monitors and other creatures in one of the three national parks.”